Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Arlington Forest baker finds success selling fresh sourdough at neighborhood stand

By Katie Taranto
Isabella Fortunato with her pastel KitchenAid mixers (courtesy of Crumb to Mama)

On weekends in the Arlington Forest neighborhood, locals may notice a pink bake stand loaded with fresh bagels, cookies and loaves of sourdough for pickup.

Isabella Fortunato started the stand, Crumb to Mama, about nine months ago from her home kitchen. A self-described “local sourdough dealer,” Fortunato runs the microbakery with Saturday morning pickups from her driveway.

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Around Town

Costco food court in Pentagon City closed for renovations starting today

By Katie Taranto
The food court in the Pentagon City Costco (staff photo)

The Costco in Pentagon City is temporarily closing its food court for a couple months of renovations.

The wholesale retailer at 1200 S. Fern Street is planning to overhaul its dining area with updated kitchen equipment and fixtures, resulting in a closure starting today (Tuesday), General Manager John Ward told ARLnow.

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Events

Pet Palooza to bring two days of pet-friendly vendors and activities to Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
English bulldog Turbo at a local park in April 2025 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Two days of vendors, activities and pet-themed fun are returning to Clarendon in an annual market happening this weekend.

Pet Palooza is coming to 2800 Clarendon Blvd from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 30-31, bringing pet adoption opportunities, live music and giveaways. More than 50 vendors are expected to participate, offering items like handmade pet accessories, treats and toys.

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Around Town

Fried chicken and burger chain aims for June opening at Buckingham Center

By Katie Taranto
Nash & Smashed on N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

After about a year of preparations, a Nashville-inspired burgers-and-fries franchise is seeking to open soon in the Buckingham neighborhood.

Nash & Smashed aims to open next month at 310 N. Glebe Road, serving up hot chicken, sandwiches and smash burgers, Chief Operating Officer Lamaan Malik told ARLnow. The restaurant, which replaces a former Boost Mobile, will have seating for 25 guests and will stay open late throughout the week.

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Around Town

Rotating art exhibit at Clarendon restaurant to feature works by local artists

By Katie Taranto
Westville in Clarendon (photo by Joy Asico-Smith, courtesy of Asico Photo)

A rotating exhibit of art pieces from the Arlington Artists Alliance is coming to an American restaurant in Clarendon through a new partnership.

Westville will be hosting a reception for the new project from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at 2800 Clarendon Blvd. The exhibit, which is expected to change on a quarterly basis, will feature works available for purchase that are aligned with the restaurant’s earthy aesthetic and veggie-forward menu.

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Events

Plant boutique hosting pop-up art market, wine tasting to mark one year in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
A look inside PLNTR's Crystal City store in June 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A locally owned plant shop in Crystal City is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month with giveaways, a market and other activities.

PLNTR, the D.C.-based boutique and nursery known for making an appearance on Season 7 of “Love is Blind,” will host a celebration on Sunday, May 31 at 269 19th Court S. Attractions will include a pop-up market with art and vinyl records and a “flash” tattoo session with Hummingbird Tattoo.

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Around Town

Clarendon barbecue restaurant’s inventive flavors featured on WETA’s ‘Signature Dish’

By Katie Taranto
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue founder Andrew Darneille (left) appears on WETA's "Signature Dish" with host Seth Tillman (via WETA)

A Clarendon barbecue restaurant earned a recent feature on “Signature Dish,” a WETA program highlighting standout cuisine in the D.C. area.

A plate of cedar plank smoked salmon at Smokecraft Modern Barbecue (1051 N. Highland Street) was one of three dishes highlighted on the show’s “BBQ Bonanza” episode this week, where host Seth Tillman “follows the aroma of smoke across the DMV.”

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Around Town

Constellation cafe opens in Crystal City with ‘slow bar’ and grab-and-go items

By Katie Taranto
Seating at Constellation (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new cafe opened this week in Crystal City, offering espresso, tea and a selection of meals at an office undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation project.

Constellation is now in business at 2011 Crystal Drive, serving coffee, loose-leaf tea, entrees and house-made pastries along with grab-and-go items. The space can seat about 60 guests and is equipped with a “slow bar,” where customers can purchase beverages prepared in a more deliberate, intentional fashion than a typical fast-paced cafe.

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Around Town

Arlington Pride block party is canceled, replaced with LGBTQ+ movie screening

By Katie Taranto
An LGBTQ+-inspired art installation at 23rd Street S. and S. Fern Road (courtesy of Tracy Sayegh Gabriel)

A Pride-themed block party, planned as the “signature event” in Arlington during Pride Month, has been canceled less than three weeks before it was scheduled to happen.

Logistical challenges proved insurmountable for the Arlington Pride Block Party, which was originally expected to draw hundreds of attendees to Crystal City’s Restaurant Row area on Saturday, June 6, organizers announced yesterday (Monday).

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Around Town

Tasting festival with games and a DJ coming to Rosslyn food hall

By Katie Taranto
The south-facing entrance to Upside on Moore (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A tasting extravaganza is coming to the food hall above the Rosslyn Metro station next month.

A Taste of Upside, happening from 2-5 p.m. on June 27, will offer samplings from Upside on Moore’s vendors alongside live entertainment and activities.

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Around Town

Korean fried chicken franchise opens first D.C.-area location in Ballston today

By Katie Taranto
BHC Chicken's new Ballston storefront (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A popular fried chicken franchise from South Korea is celebrating the grand opening of its first D.C.-area location in Ballston today (Friday).

BHC Chicken, which describes itself as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise,” plans to offer three free chicken tenders to its first 100 guests from today through Sunday at 875 N. Randolph Street, in the former Hangry Joe’s spot.

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Events

‘Summer Stomp’ fundraising fair coming to Harvey’s in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Mural at Harvey's in Falls Church (via Harvey's/Facebook)

A fair in Falls Church next week will pull together local organizations, games and dining specials to raise funds for an Arlington nonprofit.

“Summer Stomp” is expected to draw more than a dozen local businesses and organizations next Thursday at Harvey’s, an American restaurant at 513 W. Broad Street.

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